Today In Jewish History:The Rebbe's Birthday

April 5, 2020

Today marks the 118th birthday of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneersohn of blessed memory. On this day, Yud-Alef (11) Nissan, we celebrate the birth of a leader who changed the face of Judaism in the 21st century, who dedicated his life to a mission: to reach out to every Jew, everywhere, no matter their affiliation, knowledge, or level of observance. Today, 5,000 Chabad emissaries continue working toward this goal, providing services to Jews around the globe.

The Rebbe’s legendary achievements focused on filling our world with loving kindness, and elevating our reality so that it is bright, joyful and holy. His legacy is perpetuated by the acts of goodness and kindness that we do every day.

The sound of blaring sirens heralded a flashing motorcade of fire trucks, ambulances, and police cars driving down her block. Friendship Circle staff members and volunteers followed in cars festooned with colorful balloons.

At the time, the twenty-five children enrolled in New York Hebrew met once a week at the Center for Jewish Discovery for two hours of Jewish studies. Eight years later, the Shanowitzes run classes in Gramercy, Flatiron, and Chelsea, with an enrollment of 130 children, ages three to thirteen.

Thousands of Chabad communities around the world found creative ways to celebrate together. Whether online, or drive-by, the themes of Jewish unity had particular resonance for the more than a hundred thousand participants.

This Sunday (July 1) is the 17th of Tammuz, a day of fasting and prayer that commemorates the destruction of Jerusalem. Rabbi Yehuda Krinsky, Chairman of the Chabad-Lubavitch branch of Educational/Social Services, shares the significance of the relocation of the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem, from a biblical perspective.

Thousands of Chabad communities around the world found creative ways to celebrate together. Whether online, or drive-by, the themes of Jewish unity had particular resonance for the more than a hundred thousand participants.

This year marks seventy years since the Lubavitcher Rebbe appointed his first-ever emissary to establish a permanent Chabad presence. Lubavitch International looks back at the seven decades of impact that Chabad has had on the Jewish community of Morocco.